Chess Puzzle #20MZS — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 721 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks c3/e1; pawns f2/f5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rooks e2/e8; pawns f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook e1→e2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d4→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e2→e1).
  3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5p2/6p1/5P1p/3q4/2R2Q2/4rPPP/4R1K1 w - - 0 32

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.